Cricket

Rohit Sharma's recent batting struggles have raised concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup. Despite a promising start to IPL 2024, including a century against Chennai Super Kings, Rohit has failed to reach double figures in his last three innings.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has identified Rohit's vulnerability against left-arm seamers as a potential chink in his armor. "He had his problems against left-arm seamers. The way he plants his front leg, you could always feel that anything that's coming in will trouble him," Jaffer said.This weakness could be particularly problematic for Rohit in the T20 World Cup, where India is likely to face Pakistan and its star left-arm pacer, Shaheen Afridi. Other skilled left-armers in the tournament will also be closely monitoring Rohit's batting form.Jaffer suggests that Rohit should adopt a more cautious approach against left-armers, avoiding aggressive shots early in his innings. "I think he's got decent numbers against Mitchell Starc. And Starc's form is a concern, Rohit knows that. Rohit also hasn't scored the runs in his last four matches, so he will be keen to get into the World Cup with a bit of form," Jaffer said."I feel Rohit needs to take a little bit more time; he's trying to muscle the ball too early in his innings. He can take a couple of overs to get himself in and look to time the ball rather than trying to hit it too hard. It's going to be an interesting match-up, as any left-handers for Rohit Sharma is a little bit of worry," Jaffer added.Rohit's struggles against left-arm seamers will be a key area to watch in the remaining IPL matches and the upcoming T20 World Cup. If he can overcome this weakness, he will be a crucial asset for India in their quest for the title.

India's skipper Rohit Sharma, who also leads the Mumbai Indians franchise, recently interacted with Rinku Singh, a left-handed batter who was surprisingly omitted from the 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Tuesday, leaving many fans and former cricketers perplexed by Rinku's exclusion.After addressing the media at a press conference at BCCI headquarters, Rohit met with Rinku at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of Mumbai Indians' clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday. A video posted by Mumbai Indians on Twitter shows Rinku beaming as Rohit approaches him. In the subsequent clip, Rohit engages in a serious conversation with the KKR star.Rinku's omission from the World Cup squad came despite his impressive performance for India in 15 T20Is, where he amassed 356 runs with an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.24. However, he was named as a traveling reserve.During Rohit's press conference, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Rinku's exclusion was one of the "toughest decisions" the selectors had to make. He called it "unfortunate" for the 26-year-old hitter and attributed it to the team's decision to select four spinners."It's probably the toughest thing that we have had to discuss. He has done nothing wrong nor Shubman Gill for that matter. It's about the combination. Like Rohit said, we are not quite sure what conditions we will get. So, we wanted to have enough options. A couple of spinners were included in the squad...It's just unfortunate. I don't think it has anything to do with Rinku Singh. It is not his fault that he has missed out. It is more than the 15 that we felt...At the end of the day, you can only pick 15," Agarkar said.Rohit also interacted with KKR team mentor Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shreyas Iyer during the encounter.

Rohit Sharma's appointment as India's T20 World Cup 2024 captain has sparked discussions about the BCCI's decision-making process. While some have questioned the timing of the announcement, former India cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Rohit is the ideal leader for the team.Pathan, speaking on Star Sports, emphasized the importance of leadership in cricket and praised Rohit's abilities in this regard. He compared Rohit to legendary captains like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, highlighting his impact on the team's performance."As far as captaincy is concerned, he is the best leader you have," Pathan said. "We always talk about the players, but leadership is a totally different thing. We saw what happened in this IPL with quite a few captains; it's not easy."Pathan acknowledged the potential of other players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant as future captains. However, he believes Rohit remains the best choice for the time being."In the future, they will be keeping an eye on Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah as far as captaincy is concerned," Pathan said. "Now we have Hardik Pandya as the Vice Captain, Rishabh Pant is also there in your leadership role group if he gets going because he was there in the leadership role before he got injured. So there are three or four guys who are ready, but Rohit is the number one."Pathan's comments highlight the importance of leadership in cricket and the challenges associated with the role. He believes Rohit's experience and proven track record make him the best choice to lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

India's T20 World Cup Bowling Strategy Relies Heavily on SpinIn preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, India has devised a bowling plan centered around a heavy reliance on spin. The team's decision is based on the slow and sluggish wicket conditions expected in the region, as well as the early start times for India's matches.Captain Rohit Sharma justified the inclusion of four spinners and just three pacers in the 15-member squad. He explained that the morning start times, typically around 10 am local time, present technical challenges that favor spin bowling."With a morning start at 10-10.30am, there's a little bit of technical aspect involved in this," Rohit said. "The reason for picking four spinners is something I won't reveal now."The four spinners in the squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Jadeja and Patel are left-arm spinning all-rounders, while Yadav and Chahal are wrist spinners.Rohit also highlighted the need for a middle-order power hitter to accelerate the scoring against spinners. He identified Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube as the player to fill this role."The one thing we really looked at was middle-overs hitting," Rohit said. "We picked Shivam Dube based on the IPL and a few games before the IPL as well."Dube has been in impressive form for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, smashing 350 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 171.56. He is expected to contribute with the ball as well, despite bowling only one over in this IPL.Rohit revealed that he had a clear idea of the World Cup squad before the IPL. "You make the playing XI in your mind and work around it," he said. "The talk of what our final 15 started much before the IPL."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors have raised eyebrows by opting for four spinners in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, but none of them are right-arm off-spin options. The chosen spinners include wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, and left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.During a press conference at the BCCI headquarters, skipper Rohit Sharma was questioned about the absence of off-spinners in the squad. In a humorous response, Rohit gestured towards himself, indicating that he could fill that role. While Rohit has not bowled regularly in recent times, he did take a hat-trick in the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL)."We discussed a lot. Unfortunately, Washington Sundar hasn't played much lately. It was then between Ashwin and Axar. We thought having two left-arm spinners would be beneficial, as Ashwin hasn't played the format lately. Axar was in good form when he played those five matches against Australia. He has been bowling well and gives us that left-handed option in the middle if we want to do something different," Rohit explained.BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar also hinted at the possibility of Rohit bowling off-spin. "Hopefully, the captain can roll his arm over," Agarkar said.Agarkar also shed light on the decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain for the World Cup. "Nothing was discussed with regards to vice-captaincy. We want all guys to be in good form. He has come after a longish year off. The good part that we have looked at is he has got through all the games so far for MI," Agarkar said."We have got another month and a little bit till the first game. We know he is doing that and the hope is that he keeps building on that form. As long as he stays fit, we know what he brings, how much balance he gives the team. I don't think there is a replacement for the things that he can do as a cricketer at the moment, especially when it comes to the way he bowls," Agarkar added.

Rohit Sharma, the revered Indian cricket captain, has opened up about his recent experiences after relinquishing the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The transition saw Hardik Pandya take over the reins, with Rohit serving as his deputy for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Rohit's removal as MI captain came as a surprise to many, and his vast fanbase expressed their disappointment by booing Hardik in the initial matches of the IPL season. However, Rohit has maintained a composed demeanor, acknowledging that "not everything goes your way.""It is part of life. It has been a great experience," Rohit said, reflecting on his time playing under Pandya. He emphasized that the transition was no different from playing under any other captain, having previously played under the likes of MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, and Virat Kohli for India.Despite criticism surrounding his batting performance in recent seasons, Rohit has showcased a remarkable turnaround in form in the ongoing IPL edition. He has scored 314 runs in 10 innings, demonstrating his resilience and determination."I have only tried to do what is required from me as a player," Rohit said, downplaying the significance of his recent success.The dynamics between Rohit and Hardik have been the subject of much speculation, with some suggesting that the leadership transition was not handled optimally. However, Rohit has remained diplomatic, stating that he has no issues playing under Pandya."I have played under a lot of captains. It is no different or new to me," he said.Rohit's experience as a player under Pandya will provide valuable insights as he prepares to lead India in the T20 World Cup. The tournament will be a crucial test for both Rohit and Hardik, as they aim to guide India to glory on the global stage.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Unveiled: Agarkar and Rohit Sharma to Address MediaThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma will hold a press conference in Mumbai to reveal the selected players and provide insights into the selection process.The press conference will be held on Tuesday, and the duo will take questions from the media. The announcement of the squad has been eagerly anticipated by cricket fans across the country, as India aims to reclaim the T20 World Cup title after their disappointing performance in the 2021 edition.Agarkar, a former India pacer, has been instrumental in the selection process. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having played 191 ODIs and 26 Tests for India. Sharma, on the other hand, is one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 Asia Cup.The selection of the squad is based on several factors, including recent performances, fitness, and team balance. The selectors have considered the strengths and weaknesses of the players and have chosen a squad that they believe can compete at the highest level.The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13. India is placed in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and two qualifiers. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 12 stage.

Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif have strongly advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to partner Rohit Sharma as India's opening batsman in the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup. They believe Jaiswal's left-handedness would neutralize the threat of left-arm fast bowlers and spinners, a common strategy employed by opposing teams.Pathan emphasized that Jaiswal's aggressive approach and ability to counter left-arm spinners would be crucial in the tournament. He argued that the Rohit-Jaiswal combination would allow Virat Kohli to bat at number three, where he has excelled in ICC events.Kaif echoed Pathan's views, stating that Jaiswal's attacking style and Rohit Sharma's power-play dominance would create a formidable opening partnership. He also highlighted the importance of Kohli's experience and ability to bat through the innings at number three.However, both Pathan and Kaif expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi from the 15-member squad. Pathan praised Singh's finishing abilities and high strike rate, while Kaif acknowledged Bishnoi's fielding skills and potential as a spinner.They emphasized that India must play with aggression and determination to break their World Cup drought. Pathan stressed the need for fearless cricket in knockout matches, while Kaif pointed out the importance of winning big matches to lift the trophy.India will kick off their Men's T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, and tournament co-hosts USA.

Marcus Stoinis Powers Lucknow Super Giants to Victory Over Mumbai IndiansIn a thrilling encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis led the Lucknow Super Giants to a four-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.Stoinis played a pivotal role in Lucknow's successful chase of 145, scoring a crucial 62 runs and claiming a wicket. His innings included five boundaries and three sixes, providing the impetus for the home team's victory.The Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma, posted a competitive total of 144/9 in their allotted 20 overs. However, the Lucknow bowlers, led by Stoinis and Avesh Khan, restricted the visitors to a manageable score.In response, Lucknow lost wickets at regular intervals but Stoinis held the innings together with his aggressive batting. He received support from Deepak Hooda (27) and Ayush Badoni (19), who made valuable contributions.With four wickets and four balls remaining, Lucknow reached their target, securing a crucial victory that moved them to third place in the 10-team table. The Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, remained ninth, just above the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Following the match, Rohit Sharma engaged in a lighthearted exchange with Lucknow's experienced spinner Amit Mishra, joking about Mishra's age. The veteran spinner responded with humor, acknowledging his age of 41.